Paper reinforcing machine



1952 s. J. BAISCH ETAL 4,054

PAPER REINFORCING MACHINE Filed Nov. 8, 1949 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Oct. 14, 1952 s. J. BAISCH ETAL. v2,614,054

PAPER REINFORCING uuxcnms Filed Nov. 8, 1949 3 Shqet5-Sheet 3 M "O A @v 66 w 207 203 O O O Q i 3 I 173; 173 g? I 166 183 181 182 Patented Oct. 14, 1952 PAPER, REINFORCING MACHINE Stephen J.

Baisch, Kaukauna, and Herman C.

Lee, Oshkosh, Wis., assignors to Thilmany Pulp and Paper Company, Kaukauna, Wis., a corporation of Wisconsin Application November 8, 1949, Serial No. 126,102

13 Claims.

The present invention relates to the art of manufacturing reinforced paper and, more particularly, it relates to the manufacture of a reinforced paper of that type which is especially resistant to tearing and breaking stresses and which includes threads or filaments disposed between two sheets of paper or the like adhered together by an adhesive.

In order to provide a paper which can be used for various heavy duty industrial purposes, as for example wrapping steel, protecting concrete constructions, covering railroad cars, etc, an extremely tough and strong paper is required. In this connection, it is well known that such a paper can be fabricated by laying threads or filaments of hemp, sisal, fiber glass or the like obliquely, in criss-cross fashion, intermediate two webs or sheets of paper. I'he sheets and threads are usually adhered to one another by a plastic material such as asphalt.

The known machines for providing paper of the above described construction comprise two general types. More particularly, one type of machine makes a paper having a web of intersecting threads which only extend obliquely of the sheet, while a second type employs, in addition to obliquely extending threads, strings which extend parallel to the edges of the sheet. In the second type, the oblique threads extend around strings near the side edges of the web. The present invention concerns an improved machine for makpaper of the latter type.

The main object of the present invention is to provide an improved machine which is adapted to lay upon a moving sheet of paper a substantially uniform thread pattern which may extend across the full width of the sheet. A further object of the invention is to uniformly tension threads laid intermediate the sheet plies in reinforced paper of the type described above. An

additional object of the invention is the provision of an improved paper reinforcing machine whichis adapted to lay threads upon a sheet of adhesive coated paper at widely varying oblique angles without changing parts of the machine, which is capable of running at high speeds, and which is inexpensive to build and trouble free in operation.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent through reference to the accompanying drawings and subsequent description of the invention.

In the drawings:

Fig. l is a front View, partially in section, of apparatus for producing a reinforced paper in accordance with the invention.

for pressing the sheets,

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary side view of the appa ratus shown in Fig. l;

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary plan view of the apparatus shown in the previous figures;

Fig. 4 is an enlarged view taken along line in Fig. l; and

Fig. 5 is a view showing a modification of'the invention. 7

Apparatus for producing reinforced paper of the type embodying threads or filaments held between a pair of sheets of paper, such as H and I3, usually includes, as in the present instance, means 15 for applying a tacky adhesive to one of the sheets, a pair of compressionrolls H and I9 Hand it, together, and a web laying mechanism 2! which places a web 23 of reinforcing threads on the adhesive coated sheet prior to application of the second sheet and passage of the sheets between the compression rolls, H and I9.

These operative parts of the apparatus may be supported upon one structure and comprise a single machine. However, in the present instance, the compression rolls ii and i9, adhesive applicator means l5 and web laying mechanism 2! constitute separate units which are operatively interconnected.

In Order to fabricate reinforced paper, shown generally at 25 in the drawings, the sheets I land 13 are drawn or pulled from delivery rolls (not shown) and an adhesive is placed on one of the sheets, II in the illustrated embodiment, by the applicator means it. The web of threads 23 is then laid upon the coated sheet l I and thereafter the two sheets H and 13 are pressed together in passing between the compression or pressure r0115, I1 and 19, which, in the illustrated construction, are vertically aligned. I i

As noted above, the applicator meansl Sapplies a plastic substance, which is preferably-tacky, to the sheet II and it has been found that hot asphalt is very economical and practical for this purpose. The applicator means l5 includes a trough 3! containing hot asphalt and applicator rolls 33 and 35 for transferring the asphalt from the trough 3| to the surface of sheet I I. In producing some reinforced'papers, it may be desirable to coat the surface of sheet I3 prior to passing into the nip between rolls I! .and [9. but means are not shown for coating this sheet in the present instance. f-

The pressure rolls l1 and I9 may be driven by a conventional drive mechanism (not shown) and the speed at which'these rolls are rotated, of course, determines the rate oftheproduction of the reinforced sheet 25. However, it should be noted that roll I1 is operative to pull the web 23 of threads from the thread laying mechanism 2| onto sheet II, and consequently, the speed of the roll I 1 determines the rate at which the web of threads passes onto the resulting reinforced paper product.

The web laying mechanism 2| is positioned below the compression rolls, I1 and I9, and lays a uniform thread pattern upon the adhesive coated sheet II. This mechanism, which produces the web 23, includes a main supporting structure 39, a rotatable dome or creel member 4| which carries a supply of threads or filaments for laying in criss-cross fashion upon the sheet II, a thread layer 45, and means 4'! for applying an end or side string to the reinforced paper. In addition, the improved mechanism 2| includes a power transmission means 49 comprising a gear and chain arrangement for moving the dome member 4| and thread layer in timed relation.

In the illustrated construction, a separate power means is disconnectably attached to the web laying mechanism 2| and is operatively connected to the power transmission means 49. This arrangement provides flexible operation, however, the power for the gear and chain arrangement 49 may be taken from the drive mechanism for the rolls I1 and I9 by a suitable y linkage in some installations. Moreover, it will be apparent to those familiar with the art that the power means 50 may be mounted on the web laying mechanism 2|.

The main supporting structure 39 comprises a portable base section 5|, an upstanding or vertical central supporting shaft which is rigidly mounted centrally of the base section 5 I, a chain bar 51 supported on the upper end of the central shaft 55 which is adapted to carry the thread layer 45, and a sleeve 58 which extends around the vertical supporting shaft 55 and which is rotatably supported at its lower end upon the base section 5 I.

The base section 5| of the main supporting structure 39 is portable in order to permit movement of the web laying mechanism 2| for repair or other purposes and in the drawings, a track 59 (Fig. 2) is shown for carrying the mechanism. The base section 5| is fabricated from suitable structural members including a pair of channel members 6| which extend lengthwise of the track 59 and a pair of transversely extending channel members 63. These members, GI and 63, are welded or otherwise attached at their respective ends to vertically extending bearing members 65 providing a, substantially rectangular base section 5|. A pair of transversely extending support members 61 extend between the longitudinally extending members 6| intermediate the endsthereof to provide support for a generally horizontally disposed plate member 69 which is welded to the support members 61. A hole II is formed centrally of the plate member 69 (Fig. 1). Suitable reinforcing sections I3 interconnect the support members 61 and the bearing members 65 to provide an inherently strong base structure.

The vertically extending bearing members 65 are supported on wheels I5 and are interconnected therewith by means of fork sections I1 which are connected to the individual wheels in the usual manner. The fork sections" include an upwardly extending shaft 8| which is proportioned to fit within the bearing member 65 and a lock nut 83 is threaded on the upper end of the shaft 8| to prevent loss of the wheels I5 when the mechanism 2| is lifted.

In order to facilitate movement of the web laying mechanism 2|, a, pair of oppositely extending V-shaped drawbars 85 are attached to the base section 5|. The drawbars 85 are fabricated from suitable angle members and are attached to the base section 5| at their diverged ends by bolts 86 and the converged ends are interconnected by means of a hitch plate 81. Diagonally extending braces 89 support the outer ends of the respective drawbars 85.

To provide support for the vertically extending support shaft 55 and the rotatable sleeve 58, a supporting casting 9| is inserted in the hole II formed centrally of the plate member 69. The casting 9| includes a bearing cup portion 93, a shaft supporting section and 3, lug 91 for supporting a drive shaft housing or bearing (Fig. 2). The shaft supporting portion 95 is proportioned to fit around the lower end of the central shaft 55 which is interconnected to the casting 9| by a tapered pin 99. The bearing cup portion 93 of the casting 9| is dimensioned to receive a thrust bearing |0I adapted to rotatably support the sleeve 58 at its lower end.

The central shaft 55 supports a horizontally extending plate member I03 adjacent the upper end and the shaft 55 is reduced in diameter in order to provide a rim for supporting this member. The plate I03 is rigidly positioned by a pair of pins I05 which extend through the plate member I03 and cooperating slots formed in the periphery of the shaft 55. Two studs I01 are threadedly attached to the plate member I03, each stud I0I being disposed on an opposite side of the shaft 55.

The chain bar 51, as before pointed cut, provides support for the thread layer 45 and is removably attached to the supporting shaft 55. This constructional feature permits rapid replacement of the chain bar 51 in order to accommodate various widths of paper. The bar 51 is fabricated from suitably proportioned plate sections including an elongated horizontally extending top section I 09 and a bottom section I I I proportioned to fit on the plate I03 locked to the upper end of the supporting shaft 55. The bottom section I II is connected to the top section I 09 by means of vertically disposed plate sections H3 and a short tubular member I|5 which hold the bottom and top sections, I09 and III, in vertically spaced relation. Vertically aligned holes are formed in the top and bottom plate sections which are proportioned to fit over the central shaft 55. The bottom plate section has a pair of holes formed therein which are positioned and dimensioned to fit over the studs I01 attached to plate member I03. A locking nut II! is threaded on a projecting portion of the central shaft 55 to bind the chain bar 51 to the supporting structure.

The rotating sleeve 58 is fabricated from tubing or piping proportioned to fit around the vertical shaft 55 and bushings (not shown) are disposed intermediate the shaft and sleeve 58 to permit free rotation. A pair of horizontally extending annular shaped members are welded to the sleeve and provide an upper dome supporting annulus I I9 and a lower dome supporting annulus I2I.

As previously noted, the dome 4I is rotatably supported upon the main supporting structure 39 and provides thread which is to be placed, in

criss-cross fashion, on the coated sheet II. The dome II is generally cylindrical in shape and includes a frame structure I23, an outer shell or casing I which is attached to the frame struc- 'ture I23, thread containing means I21 and means I29 for guiding the threads from the thread containing means to a position adjacent the thread layer 45.

The dome ii is supported by the sleeve 58 which rotates around the rigid supporting shaft 55, and consequently, the frame structure I23 of the dome is attached to the sleeve. This is done by connecting the structure I23 to the upper and lower supporting annuluses I I9 and I2 I. The structure I23 is fabricated from suitable structural members and basically comprises upper and lower horizontally extending wheel-like structures, designated generally I3I and I33, respectively, which are disposed in vertically spaced relation. Corresponding parts of the lower structure I33 are numbered similarly to the parts of the upper structure I3I but are differentiated by the letter a. Each of the wheel-like structures I3I and E33 includes a hub portion, I35 and I35a, proportioned to fit around the sleeve 59 and adapted for attachment to the dome supporting annuluses H9 and I2I by suitable bolts as shown at I31 and I31a. The wheel-like structures, I3I and I33, further include generally circular rims I39 and I36a which are attached to the respective hubs I35 and I350, by a plurality of radially extending spokes or braces MI and I4Ia. A horizontally extending splash plate I43 is attached to the hub I35aand spokes I4Ia of the lower wheellike structure I33.

The rims, I39 and I39d, ofthe wheel-like structures, I3I and I33, provide support for the dome casing or shell I25 which is preferably fabricated from sheet metal. The casing I25 extends up Wardly and downwardly from these rims I39 and I39a, and an additional pair of rims, comprising a platform supporting rim I45 and a guard supporting rim I51, are bolted to the upper and lower edges respectively of the shell I25.

The platform supporting rim I45 is reinforced by longitudinally and transversely extending braces I49, the braces and rim providing support for a generally circular plate member I5I which forms aplatform on the top of the dome II. The circular plate I5I extends outwardly of the shell as shown at I53 and an angle member I55 extends around the outer periphery of the plate I5I. A trap door I51 is provided in the platform I5I to permit ready access to the inner portion of the dome 4I.

The guard supporting rim I41 is adapted to support a ring shaped guard member or bumper I59 which serves to prevent damage to the mechanism, particularly while being moved from place toplace. The bumper I59 is disposed outwardly of and concentric with the casing I25, and is fabricated from, tubing or the like. The guard member I59 is connected to the rim I41 by a pluralityof radially extending braces I6I.

The. thread containing means I21, whichcomprises a portion of the dome 4I, includes a plurality of cylindrically shaped cans I63 which are dimensioned to accommodate a spool of thread or thread cop, one of which is shown at I64 in Figs. 1 and 2, and hollow spindles I65 which are centrally disposed inthe cans I63. The cans I63, which are usually fabricated from aluminum or other light weight metal, are attached to the shell I25 of the dome 4| in a conventional manner and, as will be apparent by reference to Fig.

2, are. disposed in staggered relation so as to accommodate a maximum number of cans on the casing I25.of the dome M. The spindles I65 are usually fabricated from maple or other hard wood and include well known means (not shown). for engaging the thread cops I64 to fixedly position them within the cans I63. Holes are formed in thecans I63 and dome casing I25 which are aligned with the hollow central portion of the spindles I65.

The means I29 provided for guiding the individual threads, indicated generally at I'66, from the cans I63 to a position adjacent the thread layer, in the present instance, includes a plurality of guide tubes I66 which extend inwardly through the hollow portion of the spindles I65, upwardly within the dome 4|, and through the platfrom member I5I to a horizontally extending tube supporting ring I61 which is disposed below the thread layer 45. The tube supporting ring I61 is supported on the platform member I5I. by a plurality of spaced, upwardly extending brackets I69 and each individual guide tube I68 terminates at the tube ring I61.

A pair of-horizontally extending, hoop-shaped members I1I are disposed within the dome 4| and are attached to the inner wall of the-casing by generally Z-shaped brackets I13. The guide tubes I 69 are attached to the hoop-shaped members III by brazing or soldering and provide additional support for the tubes I66. Through the described construction, lightweight tubing material may be used for the guide tubes I66 and the hoops I'II further reinforce the dome M.

The thread layer 45 is operable to move the threads I66 generally parallel to the coated. sheet II transversely of the line of movement, causing the threads to be laid obliquely upon the coated sheet. The thread layer 55 is supported upon the chain bar 51 and comprises an endless chain I13, a pair of end sprockets. or pulleys including, in, the present instance, an idler sprocket I15 and drive sprocket I11, chain guides or supports I19, out.- wardly extending brackets I8I (Fig. 3), and thread laying guide tubes I83 which are supported upon the chain I13 by the bracketsv I3I.

The endless chain I13 is of conventional construction including the usual links HM and pins H322 and is trainedaround the end sprockets or pulleys I15 and I11. In order to prevent sagging, intermediate the end sprockets I15 and I11, the chain guides I19, which are preferably fabricated from brass, are attached to opposite sides ofthe chain bar 51 to support the chain I13.

The sprockets I15 and I11 are both of well known constructions, however, the, driving sprocket I11 comprises a double sprocket arrangement which drives the endless chain I13 and is driven by the power transmission. means 49. Each of the sprockets I15 and I11 is supported at opposite ends of the chain bar 51 in adjustable bearings to permit proper tensioning of the chain I13. The sprockets I15 and.I11 are preferably of the smallest possible diameter consistent with driving and supporting the chain I13. As a result, a maximum amount of the chain travels transversely of the sheet II.

The brackets I8I are generally Y-shaped and include a leg section I82. The brackets are attached to the chain I13 by pins H31), and ex: tend horizontally outwardly from the chain to provide support for the thread laying tubes I33. The length of the leg section I62 may be varied to support the thread laying tubes I83 at the desired distance away from the chain I13.

The thread guide tubes I83 are axially vertical, in the illustrated construction, and have a highly polished inner surface to prevent catching and breaking of the threads I66 passing therethrough. The upper and lower ends of the guide tubes are flared to facilitate free passage of the threads I66. The tubes I83 may be otherwise formed as by bending them inwardly so as to decrease the angle shown in Fig. 2. As a result, a more perfect thread pattern may be placed upon the sheet II.

As before noted, the present mechanism 2I is the type adapted to lay or place end or side strings, indicated at I84, upon an adhesive coated sheet. The means 41 for laying these strings I84 cooperatively acts with the thread layer 45 and, in the preferred construction, this string laying means is adapted to carry the threads I66 transversely outwardly from the thread laying tubes I83. The side string means 41 includes an end string supply means I85, means I81 for positioning the end strings I84 and carrying the threads I66 outwardly from the thread guide tubes I83 and guide means I89 for directing the strings I64 from the supplying means I85 to the end string positioning means I81.

In order to provide maximum resistances to tear, the end strings I84 comprises a multiplicity of threads of the type which extend diagonally of the sheet II and in the structure illustrated in the drawings, each end string I84 comprises 3 threads. Accordingly, 6 spools (not shown) of thread are required to supply 3 threads for each of the end strings. In View of this, the end string supplying means I85 includes six cans I9I of the type supported upon the outer casing I25 of the dome 4I. These cans are attached to a generally rudder-shaped supporting member I93 in back to back relation as illustrated in Fig 2. The rudder-shaped member'l93 is rigidly attached to the vertically extending shaft 55 by a clamp collar I95. The thread guide tubes I91, similar to the guide tubes I68 used for guiding the threads I66 within the dome structure 4|, extend from the bottom of the respective cans I9I to an upper point on the supporting member I93 so as to be vertically aligned with openings which are formed in the chain bar I51.

The end strings I84 travel longitudinally of the chain bar 51 in opposite directions and each string spirals around an upwardly extending, generally auger-shaped tensioning element I99, guide members 20I being used to direct the threads onto these tensioning elements. After frictionally engaging the tensioning member I99, the end strings I84 pass therefrom into tubes 202 which carry the strings to a point closely adjacent the end string positioning means I81.

In the preferred construction, the end string positioning and thread carrying means I81 comprises vertically disposed wheels 203 which are located adjacent opposite ends of the chain bar 51 and extend over the end sprockets I15 and I11 and the thread guide tubes I83. Brackets 205 are bolted to the chain bar 51 to rotatably support the wheels outwardly of the ends of the bar and the outward end of each bracket 205 is bifurcated to provide a supporting yoke, for the wheels 203.

Each of the wheels has a groove 201 formed in the outer periphery which is proportioned to accommodate the respective side strings I84 and, in operation, these strings travel from the out-.

ward .end of guide tubes 202 around a portion of the wheels 203 in the grooves 201, and up to the adhesive coated sheet II. As a result, the wheels 203 are rotated at a peripheral speed corresponding to the velocity of the adhesive coated sheet II.

In the illustrated construction, the wheels 203 are circular and are centrally supported. As a result, the side strings I84 are layed upon the sheet II a uniform distance from the edges and when the reinforced paper 25 is rolled up the strings I84 are superposed causing building up of the edges of the roll particularly when heavy weight side strings I84 are used. This difliculty may be overcome by supporting the wheels 203 off center, making the outer periphery noncircular, moving the wheels 203 horizontally in the brackets 205, or otherwise varying the distance between the side strings I84 and edge of the sheet.

In order to move the threads I66 outwardly from the thread guide tubes I83 to the side strings I84 teeth or serrations 209 are formed in the outer periphery of each wheel 203 and the wheels are positioned so that these teeth 209 pick up the threads I66 from the thread guide tubes I63 as they pass thereunder. The serrated wheels 203 then carry the threads outwardly to the side strings I84. Each of the wheels 203 is preferably proportioned so as to have a radius approximating the distance between the end point of transverse travel of the thread guide tubes I83 and the side string I64. After the thread guide tubes I83 pass under the respective wheels 203, the tubes commence travel in the opposite direction and, as a result, the threads I66 are wrapped around the side strings I84.

Through the described arrangement of parts comprising the side string positioning means 41, a dome 4| of any size may be used. In addition, this means 41 permits rapid and trouble free laying of the side strings I84 upon the sheet II.

For most eincient operation and to lay a perfect pattern upon the coated sheet II the thread guide tubes I83 should travel at a uniform speed transversely of and parallel to the sheet II and on reaching the respective end strings I84 should simultaneously stop, move around the side string I84, and assume the original velocity in the opposite direction in the same line. As this is not mechanically feasible or practical, it is desirable to approach these conditions as nearly as possible. .In this connection, it will be noted that as the diameters of the end sprockets I15 and I11 are decreased, the theoretical conditions are approached.

Further, the length of the chain I13 should be equivalent to twice the distance between the side strings I84. The eifect of this is to position the thread guide tubes I83, when traveling intermediate the sprockets I 15 and I11, at the same position as if the tubes I83 had moved outwardly to the respective side strings I84 and immediately reversed direction. As a result of this dimensioning of the chain I13, it will be apparent that the transverse movement of the chain I13 will terminate short of the end strings I 84 due to the length of chain required to pass around the sprockets I15 and I11. Accordingly, the serrated wheels 203 are provided for carrying the thread I66 in the guide tubes I83 outwardly to the end strings I84. As a result, a substantially perfect pattern is laid upon sheet II adjacent the side strings I84. I

Other means for carrying the strings I66 outwardly from the point of termination of transverse travel of the chain I13 may be provided without lengthening the chain. For example, the leg sections I82 of the guide tube supporting brackets I8I attached to chain I13 may be extended so as to carry the threads I66 outwardly of and around the side strings I84. When this is done other means may be provided for guiding the side strings I84 onto the adhesive coated sheet II in place of the grooved wheel 203, such as the apparatus shown in Fig. 5.

As illustrated, this apparatus comprises a curved tube 2II which may be integral with the guide tube 202 carrying the side strings I84 from the side string supply means I85. The tube 2II is supported in a bracket 2I3 which is bolted to the chain bar 51 as shown at 2 I5. In operation, the thread guide tubes I83 pass around the tube 2H and the threads I56 are pulled upwardly by the adhesive coated sheet I I onto the side strings I84.

The structure shown in Fig. 5 may also be used when a longer chain than that described above is employed. When a longer chain is operated the guide tubes I83 may be carried outwardly of the side strings independent of the dimensions of the brackets I8I.

The chain bar 51 and guide tubes I83 are desirably positioned as close as possible to the point where the web 23 of threads is laid onto the adhesive coated sheet II so that the uniformity 1 of the thread pattern may not be deformed by sagging of the threads I66 intermediate the thread layer 45 and sheet II. However, the thread layer may be disposed at any distance away from the adhesive coated sheet I I as desired I and when it is so removed, it is possible to completely form the web 23 prior to application of the sheet II.

When the pattern is completely formed prior to application the length of the chain I13 may be varied and the variation in length compensated for by adjustment of the speed of the thread layer 45. For example, if the length of the chain I13 is made four times the distance between the side strings I84 the speed of the chain may be doubled to lay a pattern substantially identical with that provided by a chain having a length twice the distance between the side strings I84. However, when the length of chain I13 exceeds or is less than twice the distance between the side strings I84 and the length is compensated for by adjustment of the rate of chain travel, it is necessary that the web 23 be substantially formed prior to application of the sheet I I. The reason for this is that the oblique angle of the threads I66 is not constant during transverse travel of the thread guide tube I83 and is only equivalent to the angle provided by the chain having a length twice the distance between the side strings I84 where the threads I55 are wrapped around the side strings I84.

The plane of the wheel 203 is preferably tangential to the roll I1 when the rolls I1 and I9 are vertically aligned, asillustrated in Fig. 2. However, the wheel 203 may be angularly disposed so as to pick up the threads I56 prior to termination of transverse travel of the thread guide tube I83. In addition, the center of the wheel 203 is desirably located in a plane which perpendicularly bisects the end sprockets I15 and I11 but this is not necessary for satisfactory operation.

The power transmission means 49 actuates various units of the thread laying mechanism 2I in timed relation and, as before pointed out, is driven by an external power means 50. Ac-

cordingly, coupling means 2I8 are provided for interconnecting the transmission means 49 to the external power means 50. The power transmission means 49 includes a gear, chain, and sprocket arrangement which is adapted to rotate the dome II and drive the thread layer at correlated speeds to prevent fouling of the threads I66.

The dome M is rotated by a gear 2'I1 which is keyed to the vertically extending sleeve 58, and the gear is driven by a pinion 2I9 which is connected to the external power means 50. Pinion 2I9 is fixedly attached to a vertical driven-shaft 22I which is rotatably attached to a housing 223 attached to lug 91 on casting 9I, the shaft 22I being driven by the coupling means 218 comprising coupling member 225 which engages a cooperating member 221 connected to the power means 50. The shaft '22! is supported in the housing 223 by thrust bearing 229 and the lower end of the shaft is journalled in bearing 23I.

The thread layer 45 preferably moves around the chain bar 51 once for each revolution of the creel 4! and accordingly rotation of the creel 4I is synchronized with the movement of the thread layer 45. This is accomplished byagear 233 which is keyed to the supporting shaft '55 so that it does not move. This gear engages a pinion gear 235 which is fixedly attached to a shaft .231, rotatably journalled. on the frame structure I23 of the creel M in bearings 239 and MI. The pinion 235 is keyed to a spur gear 243 and the shaft 231, pinion 235, and spur gear 243 are interconnected by a lock screw 245.

Spur gear 243 engages gear 241 which is attached to an upwardly extending sleeve 249. The gear 241 and sleeve are supported upon immovable gear 233 and rotate about the shaft 55. Stationary gear 233, pinion 235, spur gear 243 and gear 241 are all disposed Within an oil pan 25I which contains a suitable lubricant.

The upperend of the sleeve 249 mounts a gear 253 which is keyed to the sleeve 249. This gear 253 meshes with gear 255 which is supported in proper relation on an arm 251. This arm is clamped to the center shaft 55 and extends outwardly therefrom. The arm 251 terminates in a collar 259 which supports a rotating member 2'6I connected to spur gear 255 at the lower end. The

rotating member 26I includes a spring and key arrangement 253 for driving a pulley 265.

The pulley 255 includes'a slot (not shown) for engaging the spring and key 263 of the rotating member 259 and is supported upon a vertical shaft 251 which is attached to the chain bar 51 and guided by bushings 269 and 21 I. The pulley 265 is connected to a laterally spaced second pulley 213 by a V-belt 215. The second pulley 213 is fixedly attached to a vertically extending shaft 211 which is rotatably supported upon the chain bar 51. The latter shaft also supports a sprocket 219 which is spaced above the driven pulley 213. This sprocket is connected to' the end sprocket I11 by means of a chain 28I, the end sprocket I11 comprising the dual sprocket arrangement previously described.

By interconnecting the pulley 265 to the 'gea 255 with a key arrangement as described the chain bar 51 may be easily removed and replaced. This flexibility, as before pointed out, permits ready attachment of longer or shorter chain bars as desired to accommodate papers of varying widths.

The power means includes a variable speed motor 283, shown schematically in the drawings,

which is connected to the coupling 2| 6 associated with the power transmission means 49 by a key and gear arrangement. In the present instance, the motor 283 includes a horizontally extending shaft 285 which rotates a, vertically extending shaft 281 by means of a pair of beveled gears, 289 and 29L The coupling member 22! is attached to the upper end of the shaft 281 and is proportioned to engage the other coupling member 225.

The shaft 281 may be driven by the driving mechanism for the compression rolls I! and I9 to provide more economical operation. However, the separate drive arrangement described is somewhat more desirable in order to more accurately control the speed of the thread layer 45.

During operation, threads I 66 will be freely supplied from spools I64 supported on the spindles I65 within the cans I63 on the dome 4|. These threads pass into the guide tubes I68 and up to the thread layer tubes I83. The thread layer moves generally parallel to the adhesive coated sheet I I, transversely of the line of movement and, as a result, the thread I66 will be laid diagonally of the sheet II. The thread layer 45 moves in opposed directions on each side of the chain bar 51 so that the threads I66 are laid upon the sheet I I in criss-cross fashion.

The end strings I84 move upwardly from the end string supply means I85 to the chain bar 51 and travel outwardly toward the grooves 201 in the serrated wheels 203. The strings I84 are wrapped around the tensioning means I99 prior to engagement with the wheels 203 in order to maintain them in the grooves 201 and, the strings move around a portion of the wheel upwardly to the adhesive coated sheet I I.

The transversely moving thread guide tubes I83 pass around one of the end sprockets, such as I15, move to the opposite end of the chain bar 51, travel around the other end sprocket I11, and complete a continuous path. In changing directions the moving guide tubes I83 on the thread layer move below the serrated wheel 203 and as the tube I 83 passes therebelow the thread I66 in that tube is caught by a tooth 209 of the wheel 203 as shown in Fig. 4.

While the traveling guide tube I83 accelerates in the opposite direction, the thread I66 is carried outwardly by the wheel 203 and engages the side string I84 at the point designated 293 in Fig. 4. As the thread I66 moves upwardly on the side string I84 and the associated guide tube I83 moves in the opposite direction, the thread I66 disengages from the tooth 209.

If the thread layer 45 travels at a rate exceeding the velocity of the adhesive coated sheet II, the threads I66 will define a quadrilateral mesh pattern upon the sheet comprising diamonds which extend transversely of the line of movement of the sheet I I. On the other hand, if the velocity of the adhesive coated sheet II exceeds the velocity of the thread layer 45 the diamonds of the quadrilateral mesh pattern will extend longitudinally of the sheet. Thus, it is apparent that by varying the speed of either the sheet II or thread layer 45 any desired pattern may be laid in the reinforced paper 25 to provide a paper of desired characteristics. In addition, it will be noted that in order to increase the speed of operation without varying the thread pattern, both the rate of travel of the thread layer 45 and the adhesive coated sheet II must be increased.

In some installations, it may be desirable to 12 feedthe web 23 directly into the nip between the pressure rolls I1 and I9. This may be done by aligning the axes of these rolls in a horizontal plane above the mechanism 2| so that the nip is located centrally of the chain bar 51. In other installations, the Web 23 may be placed upon the coated sheet I I prior to passage of the sheet onto a compression roll and a roll having a relatively small diameter may be easily used. Through the use of such a roll, threads I66 emerging from opposite sides of the chain bar 5'! will be placed upon the sheet I I at substantially the same point. These and other variations of the apparatus will be apparent to those familiar with the art and are intended to be within the scope of the invention.

In the foregoing, we have described a machine for producing reinforced paper which can be operated to provide paper having uniform strength and other characteristics, longitudinally and transversely of the sheet. Moreover, the apparatus is operable to provide reinforced papers having different characteristics with minor adjustments. In addition, the machine is easily fabricated and provides trouble-free operation. Various of the features of the invention which are believed to be new are set forth in the following claims.

We claim:

1. A mechanism for laying threads upon a continuously moving, continuous sheet which comprises means for placing a pair of laterally spaced strings upon the moving sheet parallel to the line of movement thereof, means for laying spaced threads upon said sheet diagonally of the line of movement and around said spaced strings, said last mentioned means including a pair of spaced pulleys having their centers of rotation located inwardly of said strings, an endless conveyor which travels around said pulleys, thread guides carried by said conveyor, and means for continuously moving said conveyor, and means for carrying threads outwardly from said conveyor to a point outwardly of said strings.

2. A mechanism for laying threads upon a continuously moving, continuous sheet which comprises means for placing a pair of laterally spaced strings upon the moving sheet parallel to the line of movement thereof, means for laying threads upon said sheet diagonally of the line of movement and around said spaced strings, said last mentioned means including a pair of spaced pulleys, an endless conveyor which travels around said pulleys, thread guides carried upon said conveyor, the run of said conveyor being disposed intermediate said spaced strings, means for continuously moving said conveyor, and means for carrying threads outwardly from said conveyor to a point outwardly of said strings.

3. A mechanism for placing a web of threads upon a continuously moving, continuous sheet, said mechanism including in combination means for laying a pair of laterally spaced side strings upon said moving sheet parallel to the line of movement, thread laying means for placing threads upon said sheet diagonally of the line of movement, said thread laying means including a pair of spaced sprockets the pitch circles of which are located intermediate said spaced strings, an endless conveyor which is trained around the sprockets, and thread guides supported on said conveyor and traveling intermediate said strings, said sprockets being proportioned and positioned to permit a maximum part of said conveyor to travel parallel to and transversely of said sheet,

upon a continuously moving, continuous sheet of paper which comprises a thread layer including a pair of spaced pulleys, an endless conveyor which travels around said pulleys, and thread guides attached to said conveyor, said conveyor traveling generally parallel to said moving sheet intermediate the pulleys, a rotatable structure for supplying threads to said thread guides, means for laying a string upon the sheet parallel tothe line of movement thereof said string laying means being disposed outwardly of said pulleys,

-' and intermediate the pulleys and the point of application of the string to the sheet and being operable to carry strings outwardly of the pitch circles of said pulleys, and means for supplying strings to said string laying means which is located intermediate said pulleys.

5. In a machine for laying upon a continuously moving, endless sheet a reinforcing web comprising a pair of spaced side strings and a plurality of spaced diagonal threads which extend around said side strings, alternately above and below said side strings and at an oblique angle with reference to said side strings, thereby forming on said sheet a quadrilateral mesh pattern bounded at the sides by said side strings, the combination of a roll for supporting said sheet, an endless conveyor having a pitch length substantially equal to twice the distance between said side strings, a pair of spaced pulleys around which said conveyor is trained, the axes of said pulleys being located in a common plane substantially parallel with the axis of said roll, individual thread-supplying means, said axes being disposed intermediate said side strings, thread guides carried by and spaced along said conveyor for delivering the threads to the sheet, means for continuously moving said conveyor, means disposed within the orbit of the thread guides for delivering said side strings, and guide means for laying said side strings on the sheet in the final desired position outwardly of the axes of said pulleys.

6. A mechanism for placing a web of threads upon a continuously moving, continuous sheet, said mechanism including a main supporting structure, means for laying a side string parallel to the line of movement and adjacent the outer edge of said sheet, thread laying means for placing threads upon said moving sheet diagonally of the line of movement, said thread laying means being attached to said supporting structure and including an endless chain, thread guides carried upon said chain, and a pair of spaced pulleys around which said chain is trained, said pulleys being proportioned so that a major portion of said chain travels parallel to and transversely of the line of movement of the sheet, said guides traveling inwardly of said side string, means for supplying thread to said guides, means for carrying threads in said guides outwardly from about the outermost point of travel of said guides adjacent the side string and around the string, said last mentioned means comprising a serrated wheel which is supported on said supporting structure and which extends outwardly of the outermost point of travel of 14 said guides, said serrated wheel engaging threads in said guides, and carrying them outwardly to said side string, and power means for actuating said chain and said thread supply means in timed relation.

'7. A mechanism for placing a web of threads upon a continuously moving, continuous sheet, said web including a pair of laterally spaced side strings, said mechanism including in combination a supporting structure, thread laying means for placing threads upon said sheet diagonally of the line or movement and around said strings, said thread laying means being attached to said supporting structure and including a pair of spaced sprockets, an endless chain which is trained around said sprockets, and thread guides attached to said chain which travel in a path disposed intermediate said side strings, said sprockets being proportioned and located so that a major part of said chain travels parallel to and transversely of said moving sheet, said chain having a length closely approximating twice the distance between said laterally spaced side strings, and means attached to said supporting structure for carrying threads outwardly from said chain and around said side strings and simultaneously placing said strings on said "sheet, said last mentioned means comprising a pair of spaced serrated wheels located adjacent opposite ends of transverse travel of said chain, said wheels being located above said thread guides and extending outwardly of said guides so as to pick up threads in said guides and carry them outwardly to said side strings, said wheels being formed to carry said side strings outwardly of said thread guides and lay said strings in the desired position upon said sheet.

8. A mechanism for placing a web of threads upon a continuously moving, continuous sheet, said web including a pair of laterally spaced side strings, said sheet being supported upon a roll, said mechanism including in combination, a main supporting structure, thread laying means for placing threads upon said sheet diagonally of the line of movement intermediate said side strings, said thread laying means being attached to said supporting structure and including a pair of spaced sprockets having their axes in a plane parallel to the axis of said roll, an endless chain which is trained around said sprockets; and thread guides attached to said chain, said sprockets being positioned and located so that a major part of said chain travels parallel to and transversely of said moving sheet, said chain having a length closely approximating twice the distance between said laterally spaced side strings, said thread guides traveling in a continuous path inwardly of the side strings, means for continuously moving said chain, means for carrying threads outwardly from said thread guides to said strings, said last mentioned means comprising a pair of serrated, generally vertically extending wheels which are attached tosaid supporting structure, each of said wheels being positioned above and extending outwardly of one of said sprockets to carry threads in said guides outwardly to said side strings, said wheels having grooves formed in the periphery thereof for guiding said side strings in the plane of said wheel up to the desired position upon said sheet.

9. A mechanism for laying threads upon a continuously moving, continuous sheet of paper which comprises a stationary supportingpstructure, a creel rotatably supported upon said structure, a thread laying device supported by said main structure and located between the creel and the sheet, said thread layer including a pair of spaced pulleys, an endless conveyor trained around said pulleys, and thread guides attached to said conveyor, means for'continuously moving said conveyor and means for laying side strings adjacent the outer edges of and upon said moving sheet outwardly of the centers of rotation of said pulleys, said string laying means including a guide which is supported on said structure for delivering said strings outwardly of the centers of rotation of said pulleys and in a direction parallel to said moving sheet.

10. A mechanism for laying threads upon a continuously moving, continuous sheet of paper which comprises a supporting structure including a base section and a fixed shaft, a chain bar aiiixed to said shaft, a creel rotatably mounted on said base section and turning about said shaft, said creel being disposed intermediate said base section and said chain bar, thread laying means movably supported upon said chain bar and including a pair of spaced sprockets, an endless chain trained around said sprockets, and thread guides attached to said chain, and means for laying a pair of spaced side strings upon said moving sheet outwardly of the centers of rotation of said sprockets.

11. A mechanism for laying threads upon a continuously moving, continuous sheet of paper supported upon a roll, said mechanism comprising a supporting structure including a base section and a fixed shaft, a creel rotatably supported on said base section and turning about said shaft, a chain bar aifixed to said shaft, said creel being located intermediate said chain bar and said base section, thread laying means supported upon said chain bar and including a pair of spaced sprockets having axes disposed in a plane generally parallel to the axes of said roll, an endless chain trained around said sprockets, and thread guides attached to said chain, and means for laying a pair of spaced side strings upon said moving sheet outwardly of the centers of rotation of said sprockets, said string laying means including a pair of grooved wheels which are rotatably supported upon said chain bar and which are disposed in a plane generally parallel to the axis of said roll, said wheels being located at opposite ends of said chain bar and extending outwardly of the centers of rotation of said sprockets, and string supply means attached to said upwardly extending shaft intermediate said creel and said chain bar within the orbit of said conveyor for delivering strings outwardly to the grooves in said wheels.

12. A mechanism for placing a web of threads upon a continuous, moving sheet, the web including a pair of laterally spaced side strings, said mechanism including in combination a supporting structure, thread laying means for placing threads upon said moving sheet diagonally of the line of movement, said thread laying means being supported on said main structure and including a pair of spaced pulleys, an endless chain which is trained around said pulleys, thread guides and brackets for supporting said thread guides upon said chain, said pulleys being proportioned so that a major portion of said chain travels parallel to and transversely of the line of movement of the sheet, said pulleys being located inwardly of said side strings, said brackets being dimensioned to carry threads outwardly of said side strings, means for supplying threads to said thread guides, means for placing said side strings upon said sheet comprising guide means attached to said supporting structure intermediate said pulleys and point of application of said strings to said sheet for guiding said strings outwardly of said pulleys and up to said sheet, and ower means for actuating said chain and said supply means in timed relation to prevent fouling of said threads.

13. In a machine for laying upon a continuously moving, endless sheet a reinforcing web comprising a pair of spaced side strings and a plurality of spaced diagonal threads which extend around said side strings, alternately above and below said side strings and at an oblique angle with reference to said side strings, thereby forming on said sheet a quadrilateral mesh pattern bounded at the sides by said side strings, the combination of a roll for supporting said sheet, a supporting structure including a base section and a shaft, a chain bar attached to said shaft and extending generally perpendicularly to the axis of said shaft, a creel rotatably supported on said supporting structure intermediate said base section and said chain bar, said creel being generally cylindrical and having a plurality of thread cops supported upon its outer periphery, said creel including individual guide tubes for directing the threads from each of said thread cops to a point adjacent said chain bar, a thread layer movably supported upon said chain bar, said thread layer including a pair of spaced pulleys having axes disposed in a plane generally parallel to the axis of said roll, an endless chain trained around said pulleys, a plurality of thread guides, and brackets for supporting said guides upon said chain, the pitch length of said chain closely approximating twice the distance between said side strings, said brackets being proportioned to maintain said thread guides inwardly of said side strings, means for carrying said threads in said thread guides outwardly to and around said side strings and for laying said side strings upon said sheet, said last mentioned means comprising a pair of serrated wheels which are disposed in a plane generally parallel to the axis of said roll, said wheels being rotatably supported at opposite ends of said chain bar above said thread layer and extending outwardly of the path of said thread guides, each of said wheels having a groove formed in the periphery thereof, a pair of string supply means attached to said supporting structure and located within the orbit of said creel and said thread layer, each of said string supply means including a supply of string and guide means for directing said strings to the grooves in each of said wheels, power means for rotating said creel and driving said chain, and mechanical linkage connected between said power means and said creel and said thread layer for rotating said creel one revolution for each cycle of said chain.

STEPHEN J. BAISCH. HERMAN C. LEE.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,316,845 Magnasco Sept. 23, 1919 1,338,164 Angier Apr. 27, 1920 2,575,666 Knudson Nov. 20, 1951 

1. A MECHANISM FOR LAYING THREADS UPON A CONTINUOUSLY MOVING, CONTINUOUS SHEET WHICH COMPRISES MEANS FOR PLACING A PAIR OF LATERALLY SPACED STRINGS UPON THE MOVING SHEET PARALLEL TO THE LINE OF MOVEMENT THEREOF, MEANS FOR LAYING SPACED THREADS UPON SAID SHEET DIAGONALLY OF THE LINE OF MOVEMENT AND AROUND SAID SPACED STRINGS, SAID LAST MENTIONED MEANS INCLUDING A PAIR OF SPACED PULLEYS HAVING THEIR CENTERS OF ROTATION LOCATED INWARDLY OF SAID STRINGS, AN ENDLESS CONVEYOR WHICH TRAVELS AROUND SAID PULLEYS, THREAD 